Farewell, Fort Mason: Another major wine organization is moving its annual tasting away from San Francisco's Fort Mason. After 23 years, the Family Winemakers of California, a group of 450 small (under 5,000 cases), family-owned wineries, will hold its Northern California tasting in San Mateo, at the San Mateo County Event Center. Earlier this year, Rhone Rangers and ZAP (Zinfandel Avengers & Producers) made similar moves (to Richmond's Craneway Pavilion and San Francisco's Presidio, respectively).

I volunteer ... as crusher: You know the 1980s-era grape crusher sculpture on Highway 29 as you descend on the hill toward southern Napa Valley? Sitting just below that statue and to the north, five eclectic wineries have formed an alliance known as the Crusher Wine District.

The group of small, family-owned wineries -- Humanitas Wines, J. Moss Wines, Spelletich Family Wine Co., Trinitas Cellars, and Y Rousseau Wines -- formed at the end of 2013 and is introducing itself to the world as a new wine district (not to be confused with an appellation) on Aug. 2. That day, they'll open their tasting room to the public and play a variety of games called -- gulp -- The Crusher Games.

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Don't worry. There won't be dresses on fire or fight-to-the-death tastings. Games include the "impossible bottle toss" and the "bung bung barrel toss," which at least sound innocent. Details: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2. Check-in begins at the Trinitas Library, 851 Napa Valley Corporate Way, Suite A, Napa. Tickets: $30 through July 22; $40 after July 22. http://bit.ly/1sG73yw.

Urban wine country: Every summer, the East Bay Vintners Alliance gathers in sunny Oakland to showcase some of the best wines made in the Bay Area with pairings from the area's hippest chefs and food purveyors. At the Urban Wine Xperience on Aug. 2, you'll be able to taste dozens of wines from more than 20 East Bay wineries, including the new Campovida, and, for the first time, Berkeley's Mead Kitchen (pouring delicious honey wine). The best part? Tasting wines from wineries that are typically by-appointment only (Aubin Cellars, Carica Wines). Details: 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 2, Jack London Square Ferry Lawn, 98 Broadway. Tickets: $35, wine club members; $45, advance tickets; $60 at the door. Designated drivers: $15. http://bit.ly/1lzZcxl.